Week 7 - guest lecture

This week our guest lecturer was Dr John Barton from the City Futures Research Centre at UNSW. He discussed and talked about Urban development.

He talked about a current project which he is involved with called UrbanIT Project 2030, which is a is a large scale design project for the re-design of Sydney, almost like a city of Sydney Masterplan. It was a really insightful lecture as we were able to see and visualise what Sydney might look like in 20 years. He also showed us some research that was conducted about how different people relate areas within a building to things such as happiness, loneliness, danger and death.

Week 6 - guest lecture

Today's guest lecturer was Tom Denson from the UNSW School of Psychology. He talked to us about psychology in relation to group and peer dynamics.

I found this lecture very interesting and was amazed at the percentage of people that were influenced by peer pressure. I think that the experiments which Tom showed us was really amazing and I think most of the class was shocked at how easily people's answers can change and be swayed by the majority. Unfortunately the lecture was cut short, which was a shame as I think we were all really interested and enjoyed the lecture very much.

Analysis of a Wikipedia page - Real Time Computer Graphics

Real-time Computer Graphics - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real-time_computer_graphics

I have chosen to analyse the "Real-time Computer Graphics" page on Wikipedia. It explores what real-time computer graphics are, how they are created and the principles behind them as a subfield of computer graphics. The topics and information discussed on the page enable the viewer to adequately understand what the page is about. The information is set out in a simplistic, informative and functional manner enabling the viewer to successfully gain the needed information, which is an essential part in creating a successful wiki.

The page structure is set out in a hierarchical format where information leads onto the next based on headings and sub-headings. This is a functional and practical manner of presenting information as it is easily understood and read by the viewer. This aids in the success of the wiki as it is not confusing or messy, where a viewer cannot differentiate between information and the page structure.

There are various functions on the page, ranging from internal and external links to other pages or sites as well as a contents section, related topics and tabs linking to various features of the page. At the bottom of the page their are categories which link to other internal and external pages which relate to the topic area of real-time computer graphics. This is a very important feature of a successful wiki as it enables the viewer to progress from this page to other related pages. The contents section is also a very helpful tool for the user as it enables them to see what topics are presented on the page and the ability to skip straight to those topics. This is a great feature as it enables fast access which makes it a functional and very important part of a wiki. The tabs at the top of the page enables various functions related with this page such as editing, discussions and the history of the page. This is an essential tool in creating a functional and collaborative wiki.

The history tab on the page is an important feature of a successful wiki as it enables the viewer to see which changes have been made to the page as well as being a method of backup as it provides the option of undoing the various changes. This is helpful within a collaborative wiki environment incase someone edits a page and deletes important information.

The edit tab is also an important feature within this page as it enables the user to add to the collaborative process of the page by adding changes and making edits to the information that is already on the page. This is an essential part of the collaborative process within a wiki environment.

The discussion tab within the page is another essential part of the collaborative process of a wiki as it enables the active participation of members regarding the page and various aspects that need to be addressed / changed or added to the page. Although this page has the option of a discussion board, unfortunately no one has added to the board, which defeats the purpose of collaboration within a wiki.

The only aspect of this page that seems to be missing is that it does not seem to contain a reference section or page. I feel that this does not aid in the collaborative process as referencing is an essential aspect. A reference page should definitely be added to this page to make it function more effectively as a collaborative wiki.

All in all I feel that the "Real-time Computer Graphics" page within Wikipedia is a successful representation of what a collaborative wiki should be and how it should function, although it does need a referencing section.

Chosen Conflict / Remuneration Sources

I have uploaded my Conflict / Remuneration Sources to our class wiki on webpaint, as well as adding references pages to them and the Planning / Hierarchy pages.

REMUNERATION SOURCE

'In general, job evaluation is solely treated with the technical aspects of remuneration in mind. As a result the richness and feasibility of the issue do not become evident.' (1)

'The concept of 'pay' or remuneration consists of two elements: the pay policy and the technical instruments to design and implement this policy. The pay policy in its turn consists of the total packet of primary, secondary and tertiary benefits and other conditions of employment which constitute the (monetary) reward for the employee's performance.' (2)

'Arguments must be carefully weighed, they must also take into account collective labour agreements, general opinions and attitudes in society, the relationships between gross and net salaries, and between lower and higher incomes.' (3)

'Another important aspect is the difference between basic salary and the so-called total cash. In other words, which variable salary component should be added to the basic pay to arrive at a total amount of income.' (4)

(1) Frans Poels, "Job Evaluation and Remuneration Strategies: How to Set Up and Run an Effective System", Published by Kogan Page Publishers, 1997, p.13
(2) Ibid., p.134
(3) Ibid., p.160
(4) Ibid., p.160

CONFLICT SOURCE

'Conflict is an intrinsic and inevitable aspect of social change. It is an expression of the heterogeneity of interests, values and beliefs that arise as new formations generated by social change come up against inherited constraints. But the way we deal with conflict is a matter of habit and choice. It is possible to change habitual responses and exercise intelligent choices.' (1)

'One typical habit in conflict is to give very high priority to defending one's own interests.' (2)

'One of the classical ideas in conflict resolution is to distinguish between the positions held by the parties and their underlying interests and needs.' (3)

'Matters may be more difficult if the conflict is over values (which are often non-negotiable) or relationships, which may need to be changed to resolve the conflict, although the same principle of looking for a deeper level of compatible underlying motives applies. (4)

(1) H. Miall, O. Ramsbotham, T. Woodhouse, "Contemporary conflict resolution: the prevention, management and transformation of deadly conflicts", Published by Wiley-Blackwell, 1999, p.5
(2) Ibid., p.5
(3) Ibid., p.9
(4) Ibid., p.9

Work Outcome Strategies for Week 6

Cameron:

- surrounding buildings
> modelling
> facade
> textures

- find model objects (i.e. chairs, benches, lighting, artworks etc)

Alichia:

- landscape and terrain
> add mountains
> skyboxes
> fix pier and wharf
> add rock wall
> vegetation
> natural lighting

- find model objects (i.e. chairs, benches, lighting, artworks etc)

Kenneth:

- model
> internal floor space
> outer facade
> two buildings

TIMELINE / SCHEDULE OF EXPECTED WORK OUTCOMES...

We have also developed a timeline / schedule of our expected work outcomes where we considered what needed to be completed over the remaining weeks of studio, and which elements would be completed by each team member. Below is our proposed timeline / schedule:

WEEK 5:

- Each team member to complete their individual blog tasks as well as Class Wiki updates

- Also to find and blog two found sources for REMUNERATION and CONFLICT

- Analyse a Wikipedia page

WEEK break:

- Team meeting at uni to discuss work outcomes and strategies

- Complete any individual tasks which have not been done

WEEK 6:

- Work on elements as discussed in team meeting:
> Terrain / Landscape (add missing elements to terrain i.e. mountains in horizon) - ALICHIA
> Roads (sidewalks, piers, roads etc) - ALICHIA
> Lighting (natural and artificial) - ESSMAEL
> AI (tourists, groups and circulation) - CAMERON
> Model (further development) - KENNETH

- Weekly studio tasks and individual blog work

WEEK 7:

- Model
> detailed and basically complete and ready for submission

- Weekly studio tasks and individual blog work

WEEK 8:

- Final completion and development of model and environment
> make ready for submission

- Add any extra elements depending on remaining time
> extra objects (trees, benches, artworks etc)

FABRICATION PLAN...

During studio (8th April) Cameron and myself came up with a Fabrication Plan for our team. This was based on our strengths and weaknesses. We began outlining the expected level of resolution that our environment will reach we decided which team members would complete which tasks. Below is a list of the elements which we need to complete to reach our expected level of resolution:

ELEMENTS:

- Landscape / Terrain

- Materials / Textures

- Wharf / Pier

- Model
> floors
> interior spaces
> circulation
> objects (chairs, artworks etc)

- AI
> groups
> tourists

- Surrounding buildings
> materiality and surface textures

- Roads
> sidewalks
> pier

- Acoustics
> natural and artificial sounds (theatre)

- Lighting (artificial and natural)
> internal
> external

Week 5 - guest lecture

Today's guest lecturer was Neil Brown and he talked about the Global Open Source Linux Development and his involvement within this.

I found this lecture quite interesting as I didn't know a lot about Linux and how the system worked before today. Neil discussed and showcased the development and globalisation of Linux and the successful collaboration environment that uses alternate hierarchies and different models.

Chosen Topic and Planning / Hierarchy Sources

I have uploaded my Chosen Topic as well as my Planning / Hierarchy Sources to our team journal as well as to the class wiki on webpaint.

Our 2 Strengths ans 2 Weaknesses

Added this to our team journal...

2 STRENGHS:

- detailed exploration of building within its site and urban location relating to the surrounding buildings and harbour.
- good portrayal of the public spaces and how the public utilises and circulates through these spaces.

2 WEAKNESSES:

- Not enough landscape portrayed at the back of the building to contextualise the site.
- Further exploration of the public spaces needed to portray how they relate to the site and would be utilised by the public as well as the materiality of the site

Other teams 2 Strengths and 2 Weaknesses

I've added this to our group journal from notes taken during last weeks class...

Team Atlar:

2 Strengths:

- Well represented and visually appealing presentation.
- Great exploration of underwater elements such as sealife, rocks, coral, reef and the underwater rooms.

2 Weaknesses:

- Videos were quite fast, hard to see the details of the elements portrayed.
- The scaling and size of the island seemed out of proportion.

Team Digilism:

2 Strengths:

- Great representation of the building in situ.
- Nice exploration of the building during day time and night time.

2 Weaknesses:

- The size of the island seems a bit small and could be better.
- No real use of materials and textures to showcase the actual fabrication of the building and site.

Team E-volve:

2 Strengths:

- Very good display of landscape and the placement of the building on the site.
- Well represented and justified presentation explaining the various important elements of the site.

2 Weaknesses:

- No real visualisation of the actual building's interior spaces.
- Access to the building within crysis needs to be further explored.

Team Orange:

2 Strengths:

- Good portrayal of the building during day time and night time.
- Nice example of how the public spaces operate around the building and how the building would be viewed and experienced.

2 Weaknesses:

- Scaling and size of building seems out of proportion.
- Actual placement and location on the site, as well as the relationship of the building to the site.

Team Urbans:

2 Strengths:

- Great start on the terrain and location of the site.
- Detailed and informative presentation regarding their building and site.

2 Weaknesses:

- Site seems very large and may be hard to create in detail in its entirety.
- Group seems to be having some issues with importing a more detailed model, especially the sphere.

HIERARCHY SOURCE

"Decisions Without Hierarchy: Feminist Interventions in Organization Theory and Practice", Kathleen P. Iannello. Published by Routledge, 1992

"One important element..from this configuration of hierarchy is communication. Some theorists believe this aspect to be of such importance that they define hierarchy as "centralized communication systems." Whether hierarchy is defined as a communications system or not, the flow of information up and down the pyramidal structure forms an important aspect of power, privilege, and authority relationships. In most instances, the possession of information or knowledge constitutes power. It is the possession of information, on one hand, and the deprivation of it, on the other that keeps the systems of domination in operation." p.16

"Theorists with the most positive view of hierarchy come primarily from the rational systems perspective. As one would expect, they view hierarchy as the most efficient means of attaining organization goals. The "essential elements" of the rational perspective are goal specificity and formalization. Specification of goals allows the organization to select among desired activities and design a specific organization structure to accomplish those desired tasks." p.18

"Hierarchy's benefits include providing the necessary structure for what is perceived to be efficient management. By specifying roles and coordinating tasks within the organization, more time is spent in working towards goals than in working out power and authority relations. This part of the organization is already a 'given'." p.18

PLANNING SOURCE

"Planning: Universal Process", Melville C. Branch
Published by Greenwood Publishing Group, 1990

"Planning is an integral part of everyday life in the home, in personal, occupational, and cultural affairs, in the conduct of business, military operations, and civil government." p.ix

"Identification of the knowledge needed for effective planning accompanied its evolution as a successful operational activity. Until recently this consisted of knowledge borrowed from traditional academic disciplines. Planning is now emerging as a distinctive field of knowledge with its own area of intellectual considerations, methods of utilizing information, analysis, projection, reaching conclusions, presentation, and means and methods of implementation." p.x - xi

"Related fields of knowledge such as economics, political and social science, engineering, architecture, and law - regard some aspect of planning as their special competence, and other professions consider some part of its effectuation as their operational responsibility." p.xi

"Depending on many factors, planning is institutionalized in different ways in different applications, cultures, and nations." p.xi - xii

"Planning may be intuitive and automatic, or conscious and deliberate. The latter includes many types and applications of planning. Whereas the specific objectives of most planning programs are subject to differences in opinion, the process of attaining a necessary or desirable result is accepted as an essential part of human endeavor." p.xii

"The objectives, methods, and potentialities of planning vary greatly among countries, cultures, political and social systems, and stages of economic development. Nonetheless, there are common characteristics of the process wherever and whenever applied. And certain considerations are commonly taken into account in successful planning." p.xii

Week 4 - guest lecture

Today's guest lecturer was Michael Brand and he discussed and explored the concept of conflict with the Construction Management industry.

I found this lecture very interesting and was amazed at how much conflict happens within the workforce and how these conflicts have various repercussions, such as within construction where each hierarchy of workers doesn't get paid until the one above them has. We also discussed how these issues are dealt with and resolved with the Construction Management industry.